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The sounds of the season ring out in Christmas Belles Belles.............................. »22 THE OBSERVER | Saturday, November 08, 2008
Heading out on her own
»13 VOLUME 13, ISSUE 44
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 08, 2008
www.ObserverXtra.com
Developer unveils plans for Elmira subdivision While details are still in the works, large project would reshape northwest part of town STEVE KANNON A sweeping development featuring up to 1,400 residential units is set to change the face of Elmira’s north end. More than three years in the making, the subdivision edged forward this week as new details were unveiled at a public meeting. The design calls for the re-
development of two existing farm properties on the north side of Church Street, adjacent to the Elmira Farm Service site. A four-acre portion at the rear of that property would in fact be included in the subdivision. The bulk of the 180-acre development, spearheaded by the Guelph-based Lunor Group, will take place on two farms
purchased in 2005. The deal involves three property owners. A 93-acre farm at 90 Church St. W., known as Riverbend, is the proposed site of 403 to 536 single-family and semi-detached homes, 43 multi-family units and a service commercial block fronting on Church Street. To the west, the 82-acre site known as Northview is slated for 261 to 346 single-fam-
ily and semi-detached homes, approximately 427 multi-family units (including condos near the Elmira Golf Club) and two commercial blocks. The four acres at the rear of the Elmira Farm Service, labeled Green Acres, would see 35 to 47 single-family units. Plans also allow for a large block that could someday house a new school. A large park and
a trail system connection to the Kissing Bridge Trail to the north are also in the works. The goal is a range of housing types and higher densities than past subdivisions, said Woolwich planner Jeremy Vink at a public meeting Tuesday night in township council chambers. The new development would See LUNOR page »02
Police stop car, detain suspects over weapons scare
TAKING No CHANCEs allegations that two young males involved in a disturbance at EDSS were in possession of some weapons led police to pull over a car on arthur Street, just north of Elmira at approximately 4 p.m. Nov. 4. JONi milTENBuRG Officers apprehended and searched the suspects but found no weapons.
Scale back fire department plans, resident urges Find alternatives to expensive recommendations that aren’t needed in Woolwich, councillors told STEVE KANNON A new fire master plan for Woolwich is too ambitious and costly, says an Elmira resident calling on council to exercise restraint. Todd Cowan, responding to the document recently released by township fire chief Rick Pedersen, addressed
council Tuesday night, presenting a detailed written critique of the plan. Particularly in light of the economic slowdown, the township should think carefully before adopting the fire master plan that is “heavy on the spending – 17 of the 23 recommendations have a price tag.” Among the suggestions in Pedersen’s report is a new fire sta-
tion in Breslau and the possible hiring of full-time firefighters. Some of the recommendations, such as encouraging the installation of sprinkler systems in new homes, would have no direct impact on the department’s budget, but others call for major increases. Most notably, establishing and staffing a fire hall in Breslau would dramatically raise costs.
The cost to build and equip a Breslau station has been pegged at $2.8 million. Having two firefighters on duty at any one time, 18 hours a day, 365 days a year, would require seven full-time or 14 part-time firefighters. Staff costs – including wages, benefits and training – would be in excess of $650,000 a year. Many of the costlier sug-
gestions stem from a target of having 10 firefighters at the scene of a call within 10 minutes, 80 per cent of the time – the so-called 10/10 standard. Noting that standard suggested by the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office applies to urban departments, Cowan said Woolwich should instead aim for the rural standard of six See FIRE PLAN page »02